🔗 Share this article

Finally, the very celebration was perfect, under lights under that unusual intense blue southern sky, within the tumult of the contest – frantic Baz energy, England’s lower order cutting loose death cult-style at the other end.

Indeed. All of that. At the heart, the veteran batsman steered the ball away through fine leg to complete his long-awaited Test hundred in Australia.

However, for those who understand, the significance is clear. Imagine trying to explain the reason this was not just warm, uplifting and cleansing, but subtly monumental.

A Milestone Caught in Its Own Light

A batsman who already possessed 39 hundreds in this traditional format of a sport has now compiled his 40th. However, follow the story, the craft, the setbacks.

There will, of course, be a lot of discussion material to be settled. Does this cement Joe Root's greatness? Is he *Australian* great?

However, there is something more about wanting Root to be great in Australia. It isn't regarding point-scoring. Any Australian who understands cricket recognizes Root is a world-class cricketer.

The Captain's Hundred as a Solid Handhold

Root’s hundred felt significant in other ways, particularly as something tangible in the series for this team, a handhold in the glacier.

Are England going to win at the Gabba? It's unclear. But Joe Root got a hundred. Did Harry Brook play... the worst shot yet? Yes. He did.

This was not merely a hundred in Australia, but a brilliant one in genuinely tough conditions, an innings that might just have saved his team in this series.

It began with the team in deep trouble, and England’s key batter coming out at a dire 5 for 2. A chance was put down early in the slips.

The Dichotomy in the Crease

By mid-afternoon, England were 3/175. Two versions of elite Yorkshire-dom at the crease.

On one side, Root was simply being himself, relaxed, graceful, watchful. At the other, Brook was batting like a man who desperately needs the bathroom.

Meanwhile, a darkness was coming, the shadows creeping across the ground, and Mitchell Starc revving up for the key spell of the day.

A Reckless Stroke

Is it wise to challenge this? Yep. No settling in, no feet. Just a reckless waft first up.

The ball to Brook was full-length, the edge thick. There is no scenario where this was a good choice.

It was, if nothing else, novel in its utter failure. We have seen England bat in Australia without fluidity. Now Brook presented the scarecrow, batting without a brain.

Root's Steady Rebuke

Thus one half of this England team continued to collapse, while at the other end Root batted with immense resolve, but for the team's cause.

He delivered his own subtle correction, a triumph for diligence, addressing your flaws.

England are still in this series because he did the thing, provided a lesson in what skill truly means.

Can they dismiss Australia? Can they evolve? Not sure. But Joe Root compiled a hundred.